Aviators waste early lead, fall 4-2 as Reno cashes in

Colby Halter (5) smiles as he crosses home plate during the sixth inning of Florida’s College World Series game against LSU on June 25, 2023 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. The former Gator later delivered two hits and an RBI for the Las Vegas Aviators in Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to Reno, continuing to provide competitive at-bats at the top of the lineup. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Aviators jumped out to a 2-0 lead Wednesday night, but the advantage did not last in a 4-2 loss to the Reno Aces at Las Vegas Ballpark.

Las Vegas falls to 32-25 while Reno improves to 28-31. The Aviators have now dropped the first two games of the series after entering the week on a seven-game winning streak.

Estes Battles but Takes the Loss

Joey Estes battled through four walks and six hits over 6.0 innings but could not overcome Reno’s fourth-inning surge. The right-hander allowed four runs and struck out four in the loss.

Las Vegas struck first in the second inning. Joey Meneses walked and moved to third on Tommy White’s double before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Colby Halter. In the third, Brian Serven drew a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 2-0.

Reno answered immediately in the fourth. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases before Angel Ortiz delivered a two-run double to center to tie the game. Kristian Robinson followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Aces a 3-2 lead.

Reno added an insurance run in the sixth on Tyler Locklear’s double and Robinson’s second sacrifice fly of the night.

Estes fell to 2-6 with a 5.95 ERA.

Missed Opportunities Define the Night

The difference was execution with runners on base.

Las Vegas collected nine hits and drew four walks but went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 men.

The Aviators had traffic in the third, sixth and eighth innings but could not deliver a key hit.

Michael Stefanic continued his strong stretch, finishing 2-for-4 with a double. Halter added two hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Meneses and White each doubled.

However, Las Vegas grounded into a double play in the fourth and struck out in critical spots late.

Bullpen Keeps It Close

The bullpen gave the Aviators a chance.

CD Pelham and Geoff Hartlieb combined for 3.0 scoreless innings in relief. Pelham worked 1.1 innings without allowing a hit, while Hartlieb stranded an inherited runner in the eighth.

Reno’s bullpen was equally effective. After Kohl Drake allowed two runs in four innings, Bryce Jarvis, Spencer Giesting, Drey Jameson and Taylor Rashi combined for five scoreless innings to close it out.

Up Next

The series continues Thursday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.

Reno is scheduled to start left-hander Tommy Henry, who enters 0-2 with a 5.87 ERA. Las Vegas is expected to counter with right-hander Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang, 1-3 with a 7.84 ERA.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. local time.

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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.